MFD adds new firefighters

MARYSVILLE With the swearing in of four new firefighters, the Marysville Fire District brought its total full-time force to 60.
The number includes both firefighters and paramedics, said district Public Information Officer Stephanie Price. Additionally, the district has 36 part-time staffers. But Price added officials are trying to reduce their reliance on part-time personnel.
With that in mind, of the four firefighters sworn in Jan. 16, two are replacements for personnel lost through some form of attrition. The other two represent new positions within in the district.
Price added the district has space for three more firefighters who will join the next class of the local fire academy Feb. 8. They should graduate and join the Marysville district in three months.
Price noted officials will need to add even more personnel up to 12 additional full-time firefighters once a new station opens later this year.
Unofficially dubbed the Sunnyside station, the new building will sit at the corner of 40th Street and 71st Avenue. Construction was held up last year because of concerns over possible wetlands at the site, according to Price. But officials expect to break ground shortly and Price said the station should open in October.
The four firefighters were sworn in at a meeting of the fire district. At the same meeting, City Councilwomen Carmen Rasmussen joined the district board. Rasmussen was appointed by Mayor Dennis Kendall with approval from City Council.

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